Welcome to #FreshTastyValentines Week!

Disclosure: Thank you to the #FreshTastyValentines sponsors for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the participating bloggers with samples and products to use for #FreshTastyValentines recipe development; no additional compensation was given. All opinions remain our own.

#FreshTastyValentines is here! We are a group of 22 talented food bloggers who will be posting recipes for an entire week that, we hope, will inspire you to make some healthy Valentine’s Day treats for your loved ones. Here we are…

The Prizes
Thank you to all the #FreshTastyValentines sponsors for providing the prizes free of charge! Without them, this week would be a lot less fun!


BenBella Vegan is a division of BenBella Books, a boutique book publisher located in Texas. BenBella Vegan has published over twenty plant-based books and cookbooks in the past

decade

They are providing a prize package that includes five different cookbooks from their 2015 publishing releases! One #FreshTastyValentines winner will receive a print copy of the following cookbooks: The Plant-Based Journey, Dining at The Ravens, Plant-Powered Families, The China Study Quick & Easy Cookbook, and The Plant Pure Nation Cookbook.

While there’s been a growing awareness of whole grain benefits in recent years, Bob’s Red Mill been providing whole grain products to customers since 1978. Their philosophy: provide whole grain foods that have endured the test of time. They are providing one #FreshTastyValentines winner with a package of Hulled Hemp Seed Hearts. With a nut-like flavor and creamy texture, their hulled hemp seeds are a nutritious, healthy, and delightful addition recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. Keep an eye out for event recipes featuring the hulled hemp seed hearts!

Casabella grew out of the idea that housewares and cleaning products should be great looking, fun, and functional simultaneously. And, to that end, they strive to deliver products that are attractive, intuitive, and functional. And–added bonus!–all of their products are designed and assembled in America. They are providing a prize package of kitchen gadgets that are perfect for your cooking all year long. One #FreshTastyValentines winner will receive: Casabella’s Clip n StripShears and a Garlic Roaster.

Envy Apples were born in New Zealand using natural plant-breeding methods by cross-pollinating Braeburn apples with Royal Gala apples. They have since planted trees in Washington state and Chile. They are providing a prize package for one #FreshTastyValentines winner that will include Envy apples, an apple corer, and more.

You already know a little about Gourmet Garden because I partner with them regularly. Thanks to them, everyday cooking is easier and more enjoyable. Their herbs and spices are washed, chopped and prepped within 18 hours of harvesting through patented processes that seal in the natural essential oils to maximize the fresh flavor and aroma of the herbs. They are providing one #FreshTastyValentines winner with each of their stir-in pastes (basil, chili pepper, cilantro, dill, Italian herbs, garlic, chunky garlic, ginger, lemongrass, oregano, parsley, and Thai seasonings), each of their lightly dried herbs (basil, chili pepper, cilantro, ginger, and parsley), and two Gourmet Garden logo coolers.

Not Ketchup was created by Erika Kerekes, who also writes the kitchen blog In Erika’s Kitchen. She shares: “When we think of ketchup, we think tomatoes. But it hasn’t always been that way. The first ketchups were actually made several centuries ago from pickled, fermented fish in China, Malaysia and Indonesia.” Not Ketchup got its name because the United States has bizarre regulations about what can be labeled as ‘ketchup.’ Since Not Ketchup does not contain any tomatoes, according to the powers that be, it’s Not Ketchup. Not Ketchup is providing one #FreshTastyValentines winner with a bottle of their NEW No-Sugar Added Tangerine Hatch Chile fruit ketchup. Keep an eye out for event recipes that feature the newest flavor of Not Ketchup!

Pacari Chocolate is a family owned business created in Ecuador by Santiago Peralta and Carla Barbotó. They wanted to revolutionize the chocolate industry; pacari means “nature” in Quechua, and was selected to embody everything that Pacari Chocolate represents. They are providing one #FreshTastyValentines winner with a package of their premium organic chocolates!

 

Sun Basket is a convenient ingredient delivery service that was created by a top San Francisco-based chef and approved by an in-house nutritionist. Each delivery includes easy, delicious recipes and seasonal, sustainably-sourced ingredients from West Coast farms. Sun Basket has generously donated THREE prize boxes. Winners must reside in the following states to win these prizes: CA, WA, CO, UT, OR, AZ, NV, & ID.

 

T.Lish began because each Christmas, Tiffany Denson would make dozens of mason jars filled
with her signature dressing and marinade for her neighbors, friends, and family. Then, they began requesting the sauce throughout the year; a neighbor recommended she start selling it retail. She did. And word spread. T.Lish is Tiff’s line of all natural and extremely versatile dressings, marinades and sauces. They are providing a prize package of their three marinades and dressings to one #FreshTastyValentines winner. Keep an eye out for event recipes that feature the T.Lish dressings and marinades!

UncommonGoods was founded by Dave Bolotsky who, at a craft show at the Smithsonian in 1999, was captivated by the unique handmade goods and the craftsman behind them. He had a vision to create an online venue to connect makers to individuals searching for special and uncommon goods

Good luck!! And stick around! It’ll be a great week!